New Orleans GM gives an update on Taysom Hill’s retirement negotiations

The future of the veteran tight end Taisom Hill with New Orleans Saints remains unsolved. As he approaches free agency after nine seasons with the franchise, Hill has yet to announce whether he plans to continue playing or retire.

New Orleans general manager Mickey Loomis on Wednesday shared an update on the hill.

“I’m giving him some space, so I’ll talk to him,” Loomis told ESPN’s Kathryn Terrell. “But it’s hard to have those conversations right after the season is over. You want to let the emotions come out of it and not feel like they’re under pressure to make decisions.”

Hill, who turns 35 during the 2025 season, was visibly emotional after what could have been his final home game at the Caesars Superdome in December. Although he did not rule out a return, he admitted at the time that many factors affecting his future are beyond his control. He also made it clear that if he continues to play, he would prefer to stay with the Saints rather than join another team.

The 2025 season was statistically quieter for Hill compared to previous years, largely due to the lingering effects of a serious knee injury. He appeared in 13 games, rushing 52 times for 114 yards and one touchdown. As a receiver, he caught 11 passes for 91 yards, and in limited quarterback duties, completed 2 of 6 passes for 57 yards and a touchdown. He also suffered a shoulder injury in the season-ending loss to the Atlanta Falcons, though Loomis confirmed Wednesday that it was not “significant.”

Even in the shadow of a lighter workload, Hill still hit the historic wire late in the season. In his final appearance at home, he threw a touchdown pass to become the first player in the Super Bowl era to reach at least 1,000 career rushing, receiving and passing yards. That achievement contributed to an already unprecedented statistical profile.

In nine seasons with New Orleans, Hill amassed 2,551 rushing yards and 34 rushing touchdowns, 1,034 receiving yards and 11 receiving touchdowns and 2,426 passing yards with 12 passing scores. His versatility saw him line up at quarterback, tight end, and many other offensive and special teams roles, earning him the nickname “Swiss Army Knife.”

Hill is currently in the final year of his contract, which expires at the start of the new league year in March. If he decides to continue playing in 2026, the Saints will have to negotiate a new deal to keep him on the team.